A while ago I had mentioned that I would be starting a video podcast that functions as technical classes for homeschool students. I had also mentioned that I would go all in if I did it. Well, I went all in. My office has been converted to a video podcaster's paradise. Last weekend I was able to get the mixer, compressor, gate, Audio interface, green screen, dynamic mics, cameras, lighting and sound dispersion panels installed in my studio. My hosts (Tanner and Stori) both have a JD now and are learning about them by going through the LMS curriculum that was developed. We will start some "test" shows on Thursday evenings which will help the hosts to be more comfortable in front of the camera and allow them to get really comfortable with the robots and the technology behind the video podcast. The podcasts will be live so you will get to see all of the fun if you want to
On another project, I have been working with a group in the middle of nowhere Texas that is setting up a ranch for people who have aged out of the foster care system in Texas. Next week I will be setting up their firewall, NAS, domain server, some workstations, network and such. They will be using the class mentioned above for their students to teach them about robotics on the EZ-Robot platform. I want to do a show from the ranch but the logistics could make that difficult.
I will post the links to the video podcast streams later. We will be streaming on Youtube and Twitch. We also will have the RTMP feed available to be viewed directly. We have a mumble room and IRC channel that I will publish also. These allow participation in the discussion that is happening and in the show. Along with that, 662-4ROBOT1 is a direct phone number into the show, and Skype is also available. If you want to check out our early tests, I will post the links later. The official start is on May 6th 2017. We will be broadcasting from our booth at a Homeschool show in Oklahoma City.
I want to also do a show on Saturdays on more generic topics but all relating to technology. Nicholas (my son) will be teaching an Intro to Programming class. The next semester we will move up to intermediate programming and robotics classes.
SM@RT Club is the Patreon support page for the classes. I still have some work to do on it, but it is there at least.
I guess I still need to clean up some cables...
David, another fantastic show, I really look forward to watching them!
Great interview with Dave and DJ, both so very interesting.
It was funny about the names - I live on the Ashdown Forest and we get lots of Owls at night (these are my favorite birds), so I got the nickname Tawny OWLess! (from Tony Ellis). The Tawny owl or brown owl is a stocky, medium-sized owl commonly found in woodlands across much of Eurasia and is extremely majestic.
I hope my forthcoming interview are as good as these great ones so far and I am looking forward to seeing the neat stuff that DoomBot is doing.
Tony
Edited version of EP-05
I absolutely loved this show. Watching DJ's interview was the high point of my week. Each time I listen to him muse I realize more and more that this guy is a true renascence man and visionary. I truly think his concepts and work are going to help shape the way we use robotics and computers.
I was laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch when I heard DJ mention the nickname he and his crew has for me around the shop. I'm honored and amused. However I'm not surprised. You should hear some of the nicknames I've been called over the years. eek LOL! I actually had to change my username to reflect my new nickname.
I'm really, really looking forward to the review you don on the LattePanda you plan to do soon. I hope you'll take some time to really show it off and what it can do.
Like the others here have said; I'm also looking forward to your upcoming interviews with DoomBot and Toymaker. These are going to be great!
I know Rich hasn't been posting on this forum lately but I think he'd be a great interview for your show. Also, there are so many other interesting people I could suggest. Just a couple that come to mind: jstarne1, thetechguru, Cardboard Hacker, Robot Doc. The list goes on and on.............
I agree that there are a lot more people in this community that I should interview. Right now, my time is being spent to make a good showing at the homeschool show in early may. It takes a lot of time to get things ready. I am debating on whether or not to do a workshop about technical education and the need for these students to have STEM education. It would be about a 30 minute presentation and I am not sure that I want to be taken away from the booth to do this. Anyway, this is consuming my time. I hope to do more interviews after May.
One of the main reasons that I did the interviews that I did is to take parts of them and have a video showing in our booth at this convention. The reason that I choose the people that I did is simply because all of you come from different backgrounds and had different experiences growing up. Some of you focus on the mechanical aspects, others on the programming aspects and others on the micro controller and electronics aspects. Doombot is great at taking junk and making it desirable (his words). It just goes to demonstrate that pretty much everyone can find something about robotics that suites them. This will be a focus of the video.
The other thing is that EZ-Robot is the common controller and this demonstrates that you can focus on what you want to focus on knowing that in the end, you will have a functioning robot. The stairs up the mountain of robot knowledge are already in place.
I will try to schedule more interviews after the show in May. I have a vacation in June, and then it is getting ready for the other two shows starting in August. I'm about to get really busy again.
Thanks for the kind words from everyone. I am really enjoying doing the shows. I am even more excited about what the Technology Today show turns into over time.
Thanks everyone! And specifically thanks dcochrane for the opportunity to babble. Looking forward to watching more interviews with all of you - that's the exciting part for me
Dave - I love your new username! The gang will get a kick out of it!
Great show Dave. In the airport and managed to catch it before my flight. Dave you did great! I knew you would. And nice to see you too DJ. I really liked hearing about EZ Robots path and look forward to the tour of the facility.
Diito (what Will said)... Dave Snuffleupagus did an awesome job...
@Dave you still need to install the electrified claws in your B9
LOL, thanks guys. @RR, the claws are coming. We have the technology, today.